Automatic release and reset anchor



w. VAL BAILEY -AUTOMATIC RELEASE AND RESET ANCHOR Feb. 24, 1959 2,874,668

Filed Feb. 8, 1957 w INVENTOR.

\almuua A. .BAI new Uniwd S ews Pat n AUTOMATIC RELEASE AND RESET ANCHOR William A. Bailey, Dallas, Tex.

Application February 8, 1957, Serial No. 638,960

1 Claim. (Cl. 114-208) This invention relates to an improved automatic re lease and reset anchor.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an anchor of this kind having pivoted flukes which are yieldably maintained in upwardly inclined operative positions by spring means until a fluke becomes snagged and the pull on the anchor line exceeds a predetermined maximum, whereat the flukes subside to declining positions, against the resistance of the spring means, so as to unsnag the anchor, the spring means then automatically operating to reset the flukes in their operative positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a more practical and efficient anchor of the character indicated above which is unusually rugged and is composed of a small number of simple and easily assembled parts.

Another object of invention in conformance with that set forth is to provide in an automatic release and reset anchor of the character involved means whereby the anchor arms of the anchorare maintained in laterally extending angular relationship relative to the general body of the anchor under a predetermined compression spring force, said arms being pivotal toward longitudinal alignment along the general longitudinal axis along which tension will be applied on the anchor when withdrawing the same from a body of water, the compression spring being overcome when a resistance is encountered on one or more of the anchor arms sufficient to permit the application of tension force on the anchor.

A further object of the invention is to provide an anchor of the character set forth which can be readily and economically manufactured, is' easily used, and is highly satisfactory for the purpose intended.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an anchor of the invention with the flukes in operative position;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical transverse section taken substantially on the plane of line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing in phantom lines positions of parts in released positions thereof;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the plane of line 33 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the illustrated anchor, indicated generally at 10, comprises a vertically elongated cylindrical housing 12 comprising a uniformly cylindrical main portion 18having an upwardly tapering upper end portion 20. Secured in the portion 20 and depending into the upper part of the main portion 18 is an axial sleeve 22 which is smaller in diameter than the portion 18. Separating the portion 20 from the portion 18 is an internal wall 24 at the upper end of the portion 18. The side wall of the portion 18 has therein at its upper end pressure relief openings 26.

The main housing portion 18 is open at its lower end and has a lower edge 19 having therein circumferentially spaced vertical notches 28. Extending around the portion 18 at the upper ends of the notches 28 is an enlarged diameter convex abutment annulus 30 having a lower end 31, from which depend, in alignment with the notches 28, pairs of laterally outwardly projecting ears 32, traversed by pivot pins 34.

A vertically elongated rod 14, larger than the housing 12, extends slidably through the sleeve 22 into the main housing portion 18 and has a threaded lower end 38 which is threaded in the center of a cam disc 40. On its upper end the rod 14 has an anchor line connecting eye 42. A suitably rated expanding coil spring 44 is circumposed on the rod 14 and is compressed between the wall 24 and the disc 40.

The anchor 10 further comprises flukes 16 which comprise relatively straight and elongated arms 46 having fluke plates 48 on their outer ends, and having widened inner ends 49, which are positioned between cars 32 and are traversed by the pivots 34. On the inner ends 49 of the arms 49, which work in related notches 28, are downwardly and inwardly offset and curved fingers 50 which have rounded lower ends 52 which are engaged with the underside of the cam disc 40, with the concave sides 53 of the fingers 50 facing the edge of the cam disc 40.

The spring 44 normally depresses the cam disc 40 against the ends 52 of the fluke arm fingers 50, so that the flukes 16 are yieldably maintained in upwardly inclined operative positions, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Should one or more of the flukes 16 become snagged under a rock, submerged tree stump, or the like, so that pull on the anchor line attached to the rod 14 exceeds a predetermined maximum, all of the flukes 16 will be pivoted downwardly, as indicated in phantom lines in Figure 2, so that the anchor 10 is released from the snag. As a fluke is thus released and the anchor 10 is moved away from the snag, the spring 44 expands and depresses the disc 40 on the ends 52 of the fluke arm fingers 50, so as to automatically reset the flukes 16 in their solid line operative positions with the flukes 16 engaged with the abutment annulus 30, so that the anchor 10 is ready for reuse.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, as fall within the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

In an anchor, a vertically elongated cylindrical housing having an upper end and being open at its lower end and having a lower edge, an axial sleeve secured on the upper end of the housing and depending thereinto, said lower edge having therein circumferentially spaced vertical notches, pairs of ears on the housing aligned with the notches and projecting laterally outwardly from the hous ing, pivot pins traversing the pairs of ears, flukes com- 2,874,668 Patented Feb. 24, 1959:

3 prising elongated-varrns having; outer and inner ends, the innet ends, being. positioned. between related ears and engaged on related pivot pins and working in related notches, fingers on and extending downwardly and laterally inwardly from the inner ends of the fluke arms when said arms are extending upwardly and outwardly from their pivot pins, said fingers terminating in rounded ends, a vertically elongated rod sliding through said sleeve and having upper and lower ends, anchor line connecting means on the upper end of the rod above the housing, a camdisc centrally secured on the lower end of the rod and bearing on the rounded terminal ends of the fluke arm fingers,- and an expanding coil spring circurnposed" on the rod and compressed between the cam disc and an upper part of the housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 877,761 Cummings Jan. 28, 1908 10 2,012,751 Buch Aug. 27, 1935 2,540,867 Douglas Feb. 6, 1951 

